Settling In...

Time is flying by! I can't believe we were actually in China a few weeks ago!  Aaron has settled in with our family so nicely, almost like he has been with us for months.  We got back into the swing of our routine last week with homeschool and I was wondering how Aaron was going to do while we were schooling.  He has been great, he plays and comes and sits in my lap and listens as I teach the kids, or he draws and colors.  Then when Connor is done with school, he and Connor are ready to play while the two big kids finish. So, no worries for mom, things are still moving smoothly with school :) 
Aaron loves to cuddle with Mom, this may be our only area that he gets bugged by, he doesn't really like to share mom with Connor!  But we are working on sharing mom :) 
We have slowed our schedule down a bit and are staying home more to give Aaron time to continue to adjust.  No complaints here! It has been nice to be able to be home with our family. We did go to church last Saturday, but his little class was a bit much yet, so he just stayed with Ryan and I.  This week Averi went with him to his class, and he did great! We are going to work on slowly transitioning him into his class at church, he is so social, I am sure he is going to love his time in there with the other kiddos :)
Averi, Nathan, and Connor are really doing good, too.  They all love to play with him and make him laugh (which isn't hard -  he is a funny kiddo). I was most concerned about Connor with him being the youngest, but he tells me often how he loves Aaron.  When Aaron acts like he doesn't want Connor to sit with mom, Connor thinks it's funny.  But I do spend extra time cuddling with just Connor and reminding him what a great big brother he is to Aaron - and he really is great with him :)
We will continue to adjust and blend together as a family.  We have been totally blessed with our transition so far, but even so, change is never easy.  Adoption is a beautiful thing, but also work. Working to make sure Aaron feels loved and part of our family, working to make sure our other 3 feel loved and not left out, working to still have time for Ryan and I, working to keep the house running and in some sort of order with meals ready that we all will like to eat - but all of it is so worth it.  God placed this special little one in our family for a purpose, and we are so thankful.  Aaron has had a tough little life in his 3 years, but God was with him the whole time and placed him in just the right hands to bring him to our family.  God is absolutely  amazing, that he cares for us and about us as individuals blows my mind!

"May what God grants us be used amplify the lives of others."  Cindy Martinusen

Aaron and his Averi

I think our eyes make it look like we could be related....

At the International Balloon Fiesta in Abluq, if you have never been - you need to come!

Averi, Nathan, Connor, friends Joey and Kayla with the balloons!

cheese!

At the zoo in Albuq~

We weren't sure what Aaron was going to be for Halloween, but Connor and I found this at Target and we HAD to get it for our little Elmo lover!

And yes, Papa and Marcus, Connor will be a Dallas Cowboy this year :)

BE BLESSED~

Home~

Well, we arrived home safe and sound Friday evening around 9:30 - and we were so glad to see those three smiling faces!!  We were met at the airport by many friends and famliy with signs and cheering - it was incredible for Ryan and I and a little frightening for Aaron!  After he got over the shock, he was happy to meet his new family.

This is our family of 6 before we left the airport.

When we got home Aaron seemed to feel right at home. He loved the dogs right away and was thrilled to play with the kids and all of the toys!

Aaron's first morning waking up at home :)

Connor and Aaron hanging out watching some Elmo.

                                           Connor, Aaron, and Nathan ready for the hot tub!

This is Aaron getting his first adjustment! He saw Connor get adjusted and then he was ready for his turn.

All of the kids playing in the tent, Aaron is loving all of the toys!

Aaron helping me pick tomatos - he kept calling them apples :)

All of the signs that were being held by the wonderful people waiting to meet us at the airport!

Everyone seems to be doing great for the time being.  God is so faithful and has totally provided in every way for us.  There were times when we were flying and in China when I hung on by repeating scripture over and over, which brought that peace and comfort that can only come from the Prince of Peace.  We are so thankful, and we know that there will be bumps in the road on this journey but we are going to cling to our Heavenly Father - He will not fail. 
I plan on continuing to blog occassionally  to keep you up to date on how things are going with all of us, but I am sure I won't be as good as I was when I was blogging in China daily!
Thank you again for your contiuned prayers!

Almost home!!!

Yesterday we finished up paperwork and just hung out at the hotel. Today (Thursday) is the day we head to Hong Kong! So, this afternoon we will get on a train and then in the morning we fly home! 
This has really been a great experience, hard, but good.  We have learned a lot about ourselves and have really grown close with Aaron.  I am braver than I thought, but keep praying for that long flight home :)

Thank you so much for your support and prayers while we have been away.  Leah, (who has been posting all of our blogs, and is absolutely awesome!) has cut and pasted almost every day so we were able to see some of your comments - thank you!  

It is still surreal that we left as a family of 5 and are coming home a family of 6.  We have 3 wonderful kiddos at home who were born of our flesh and one precious little boy here that was for sure born of our hearts.  God is so amazing.
 
I know some of you are planning on meeting us at the airport, our flight gets in around 8:15 Friday -- see you then!  :)

Pizza & the Consulate

Monday we went shopping on a beautiful island and yesterday (Tuesday) we went to the park and then on a small dinner cruise.  Our guides told us the food on the cruise was terrible, so they ordered Papa John's for all of us - and we were thrilled! :) Oh, the small things we miss from America! We have had a great time with all of the wonderful families we have been with - but we are READY to be on our way home. 

Today (Wednesday) we go the US Consulate to take our oath and finish paperwork for Aaron's visa.  Then tomorrow we will get his visa and take a train to Hong Kong to catch our flight on Friday. So, please pray for safe travel in the next couple of days - thanks so much!

Aaron Adjusting and Some Preaching

Yesterday (Sunday) we went to Baiyun Mountain, which means white cloud.  It was really beautiful and there were tons of people hiking up the mountain, and we Americans rode golf carts up the mountain :)  It was fun; we saw a funny bird show and then got stuck in a rainstorm - so it was an adventure!  Then we came back to the hotel and explored around the hotel, you can see what Ryan found!:)  It was a great day for Aaron too; he seems to be adjusting really well.  Occasionally he will have a moment, but all in all, he is doing great - thanks to his wonderful foster family preparing him so well.  
 
Today we head back to the medical clinic to get our TB results and then over to a pearl and jade market - yeah more shopping! :)  Yesterday we found out that we could watch our church online from here - it was so good to hear the worship and Pastor Skip teach - it did our weary souls well.  Praise God for these small blessings that keep us going :)  Only 4 more nights before we head home!